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Pediatric Otolaryngology

(166) Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Incidence of Peritonsillar Abscess

Monday, October 2, 2023
2:45 PM – 3:45 PM East Coast USA Time

    Co-Author(s)

  • Nicole Marie Favre, n/a

    medical student
    Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo
    EAST AMHERST, NY, USA

    • Presenting Author(s)

  • Jeremy M. Walsh

    Medical student
    Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo
    Williamsville, NY, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • Maya S. Raghavan, MSPH

    Medical Student
    Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo
    BUFFALO, New York, United States

  • Kristina F. Powers, n/a

    MS4
    Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo
    West Seneca, NY, USA

  • Mattie R. Rosi-Schumacher, MD

    Resident Physician
    Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo
    Buffalo, New York, United States

    • Senior Author(s)

  • Michele M. Carr, DDS MD PhD

    Professor
    Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo
    Williamsville, NY, United States

Disclosure(s):
Jeremy M. Walsh: No relevant relationships to disclose.
Maya S. Raghavan, MSPH: No relevant relationships to disclose.
Mattie R. Rosi-Schumacher, MD: No relevant relationships to disclose.


Introduction: As the prevalence of tonsillitis has declined significantly during the pandemic, our study aims to determine if the incidence of peritonsillar abscess (PTA) in the pediatric population followed a similar pattern.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted at a tertiary care children’s hospital between 2018 and 2022 of patients with ICD10 code J36 “peritonsillar abscess”. Patient age, gender, race, investigations, treatment, comorbidities, admission status, and length of hospital stay were recorded.

Results: There were 105 patients included with mean age of 13.0+4.3 years. Mean number of PTA cases before pandemic closures was 2.5+1.2 per month, while mean number of PTA cases post-COVID closures was 1.2+1.2 per month, resulting in a 51% decrease after school closures started (p < .001). This downward shift in the incidence of PTA during the pandemic was shown to be statistically significant using run chart analysis. There was no significant difference pre and post school closure in emergency vs. inpatient location (Fisher’s exact p=.1), admission status (Fisher’s exact p=.59), age (Kruskal Wallis p=.9), or length of stay (Kruskal Wallis p=.15) over the years.

Conclusions: Following pandemic-related isolation, the incidence of PTA decreased significantly in this population. School closures and masking coincided with the decreased incidence of PTA suggesting the etiology is primarily due to infection rather than obstruction of Weber’s glands. Further studies should be conducted to follow this trend as pandemic precautions ease.